Giving What We Can UK
Analysis
Giving What We Can UK is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 2024, 2 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under community and economic development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 15442716). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Giving What We Can UK reported income of £12.6m and spending of £14.4m, spending 114% of what it took in. Across the 2 years on record, from December 2024 to December 2025, income grew from £8.8m to £12.6m (+43%), an average of +43% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 43%. Over the whole period it spent 70% of the income it received.
Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, Giving What We Can UK sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Access - the Foundation for Social Investment (£12.5m), The Institute for Fiscal Studies (£13.1m) and Steps to Work (£11.4m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 99% and investments 1.1%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.1%. Grants to other organisations totalled £13.6m. Reserves of £6.0m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 5 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 99%
- Investments 1.1%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
Giving What We Can UK advances education and promotes the voluntary sector, charity effectiveness, and impactful resource use by conducting research to identify and support highly effective charities, disseminating useful research findings, and providing guidance to maximise charitable impact. Its activities include advising, researching, making grants, and advocating for effective giving.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Access - the Foundation for Social Investment | London | £12.5m |
| The Institute for Fiscal Studies | London | £13.1m |
| Steps to Work | Birmingham | £11.4m |
| Fusion21 Foundation | Prescot | £13.5m |